S A T U R D A Y I N M A D R I D - P A R T F O U R

After a long day out and about, Elena and María's aunt, Marí Llanos, treated us to afternoon tea at the Ritz. It was so grand - that is really the best and only way to describe it. My Gramma would have loved it! I think we felt a bit out of place at first, but we didn't mind that for too long. I just imagined that I was so rich, I didn't have to look nice, and then I felt right at home. :) We had a really nice time, sitting in the comfortable chairs and enjoying our tea and cookies. I loved the little floral cloth napkins they used - I told the girls I wished I could keep it. The next thing I knew, Marí Llanos was slyly stashing it in my purse! Ha! So now I have a lovely souvenir from a pretty special memory.

Afterwards we walked through the city - the way the buildings are lit up at night in Madrid are so beautiful. We then each went home for a siesta before heading out again (I deeply appreciate this part of Spanish culture!). That night we went to dinner with a group of ladies and then headed to Elena and María's for wine, story telling, lots of laughing and all around fun. We eventually ended up at a club where we danced for a little while. Not something I would typically participate in at home - but I was in Madrid and I was willing to try anything! Everyone there seemed far too young to be drinking and dancing the way they were - I am pretty sure I was the oldest person in the room.

That about wraps up Saturday, our first full day in Madrid. Each day was like this; full of activities and fun. We went to bed at around 4 to 5am every night (morning). Then we'd sleep until nearly noon and do it all again. Exhausting and not very good for your health - but it was good for my heart and my spirit! That's what really counts, right?